Match-machine.



No. 795,950. PATENTED AUG.1,"'1905. J.N P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE.

,APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 28,1901.

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. 795,950 PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905.

J. P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 28, 1901. I

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PATENTEDAUG. 1', 1905.

P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28.1901.

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I -1 W m J. P. WRIGHT. I MATCH MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28,1901.

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J. P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28. 901.

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Z/kk/ PATBNTED AUG. 1, 1905. J. P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 28.1901.

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PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905. J. P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28.1901.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

PATBNTED AUG. 1, 1905. J. P. WRIGHT.

- MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28,1901

10 SHEETS-SHEET a.

PATENTBD Ami, 1905.

i, P. WRIGHT. MATCH MACHINE. APYLIOATION FILED SEPT. 38, 1901.

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No. 795,950.. PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905.

J. P. WRIGHT.

MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28, 1901.

10 SHEETS-SHEET ;o.

TJ'NTE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB P. WRIGHT, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.- Y., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MATCH-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ,Aug. 1; 1905.

Application filed Septemhe: 28, 1901. Serial No. 76,944.

To all whon it 1nayc0ncer'n:

Be it known that I, JACOB'P. WRIGHT, of Akron, in the county of Summit, and in the State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Machines; and

- I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of portion of-a match-machine embodying-my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the part of the machine for supplying the splints to the carrying mechanism and ejecting the finished matches therefrom. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same, a portion of the carrier being omitted. Fig. 5 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail view in section on the line m u of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 3/ 1 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 2 s of Fig. 3. v Fig. 9'is a detail view, in longitudinal vertical section, of the handle-solution pan; Fig. 10, a section on the line n" :r' of Fig. 9. Fig. 1'1 is a detail view, in cross-section, of one of the carrier-plates; and Fig. 12 is a perspective viewof the bottom of the hopper.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to improve the construction of machines for making matches; and to this end said invention consists in the machine and in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts thereof, s'ubstantiall y as hereinafter specified.

The class of match-machines to which my invention pertains is one in which the splints or sticks previously made in another machine are placed in a hopper and are supplied therefrom to an endless carrier by which they are taken to the various treating devices to he formed into matches and finally removedfrom the carrier, a machine of this general description having been. invented by me and patented July 20, 1897, the patent being No. 586,890. '1 wishit understood, however, as to thosefcatures of my invention which are adaptable to match-machines of other types that I do not restrict myself in the use thereof to any one class or type of machine, and though the present machine is designed for use with wooden splints or sticks rectangular in crosssection it is to be understood that the scope of the; invention is not limited by either the material of which the splints or sticks are composed or their shape, as in respect to some features of the inventlon sticks or splints'of other material than wood and of other shapes of cross-section may be used.

In the embodiment of my invention whichhas been selected for illustration a-frame A is employed, comprising two upright sides connected by transverse bars or beams. Of course any other form or construction of frame may, if preferred, be usedf Mounted upon and extending from one of the frame sides to the other is a plate B, that constitutes the bottom of a splint-hopper that is composed of a lower horizontally-movable section O and an upper stationary or fixed section D. The latter at each end has a horizontal flange d", that is secured by screws to a standard or bracket E, resting upon and fastened to the plate B. The upper portion of the outer side of the fixed hopper-section Dis hinged to form a door also that the operation of placing splints or sticks in the hopper may be facilitated. A

spring-latch (Z at each end of the section is einployed to secure the door (I in closed position. In the portion of the hopper-section D below the door there are several vertical partitions d and (Z to keep the splints from getting awry or out of parallelism as theydcscend through the hopper. The horizontally-movablesection G is provided with similar partitionsc and c, and the latter are preferably more numerous than the partitions in the fixed section. At each end the movable hopper-section O has a vertical rib c, that engages a vertical slot 1' in the adjacent standard E, said ribs and slots forming guides for the hopper-section in its horizontal reciprocation. In the 'lower edge of one of the r bs e is a notch 0 that is engaged by a lugf on the upper side of a bar F, horizontally movable in a guidegroove in the upper side of the hopper-bottom B by a cam G, with which a rollerf" on the bar engages. The cam G is journaled on a stud-shaft H, that is fastened to and projects horizontally from a plate 1, secured by screws to the adjacent side of the frame A.

Attached to the cam and situated between it and said plate is a gear-wheel K, with which meshes a gear-wheel L on a shaft M, mounted in hearings on the frame A and driven in the manner described hereinafter.

In the plate B are formed a series of vertical slots 6 0, that run in a direction parallel with that in which the splints extend in the, .hopper, the spaces between each pair of ador ribs n a, corresponding with and extending through and above the slots to afford between ad acent slots spaces or grooves for the reception of a row of match-splints. The fingers or ribs also engage the mass of splints within the hopper. At each end said frame N has a downward extension 11/, on thinner side of which mounted on a stud is a roller if, that engages a cam O on the shaft M, into contact with the periphery of which the roller is held by a spring P, attached at itsupper' end to the extension and at its lower end to the frame A. By the conjoint action of the cams and the springs the frame is givena rapid vertically reciprocating movement, whereby the splints in the hopper are agitated by the engagementtherewith of the upper ends of the fingers n and n. Preferably the extensions 11" and n are carried to a point below the shaft M, each being slotted for the accommodation of the shaft. It will. be seen that the mass of splintswithin the movable section are given both a horizontal and a vertical motion, and as a result of this compound motion they are agitated, so that they readily pass downward, and clogging is avoided. The vertical motion, which is preferably comparatively short, has the effect of moving the entire mass of splints in the hopper and results in evening or straightening them, so that they are in position to enter the spaces between the projecting fingers a. The descending motion of the vertical agitator is sufiiciently quicker than the possible speed of fall of the splints by gravity as to free the lowermost splints of the mass from contact with the fingers a and n, and thus enable them to settle readily into the spaces. The described action of the vertical agitator is especially eflicient in the case of splints that are square in cross-section, as because of this shape there is greater liability of the splints to interlock and clog. The top of the frame N at each side is beveled or inclined down- Wardly and outwardly, so that the surface present to any splints that may be moved sidewise by the sidewise movement of the vibratory hopper-section into contact with the frame N will be an inclined one, over which thesplints will rise and not be crushed or cause the jamming of the machine. The bottoms n and n of the slots or spaces between the fingers n and a are inclined downward and inward and open into the open space of the frame, so that any dust or fuzz will pass readily off such bottoms and fall through the frame.

The shaft M, from which both the lateral vibration of the hopper-section C and the vertical vibration of the agitator N are produced,

may be conveniently driven by providing a l sprocketwheel Q thereon, which by a sprocket-chain R is connected to a larger sprocket-wheel S ona shaft T, journaled in.

bearings near the bottom and front of the frame A, on which shaft T is a gear U, in mesh with a pinion V on a shaft W, also journaled in bearings on the frame A. From a sprocketwheel X on the shaft W a chain Y runs to a sprocket-wheel Z on the main driving-shaft A, journaled in bearings well toward the front end of the frame A and provided, as usual, with a band-wheel B.

As it is desirable at times, as when the feed of splints from the hopper to the carrier is to be arrested, to stop the agitation of the splints,

provision is made to stop the vibration of the.

hopper-section C and the agitator-frame N by mounting the sprocket-Wheel Q loose on the shaft N and providing a clutch G, adapted to be shifted by a hand-lever D to' couple and uncouple the sprocket-wheel Q and said shaft.

' For removing the splints from the spaces between the fingers 11/ projecting through in the hopper-bottom B there is a series of rods E and E, one for each groove 6, that constitute ejectors or beaters that engage the ends of the splints and force them endwise from the hopper and into the holes or openings f and fof the plates F and F of the endless carrier, said ejectors or heaters being attached to and carried by a reciprocating head or bar G. The preferable mode of attachment of the heaters to the bar G is to place each beater in a groove in the upper side of the bar and secure it therein by apin H and a plate I, that lies over all the heaters. being fastened to the top of the bar by screws. A flange i, depending from the plate I and overlapping the ends of the heaters flush with the side of the bar G, takes the thrust of the heaters. At each end the beater (wris attached to a horizontally- I reciprocating bar K by a pin L, which passes vertically through a hole in the beater-bar and alini'ng holes in portions of the bar K above and below the beater-bar, the portion of the bar K above the beater-bar being the horizontal member of an anglepiece attached to said bar K and against whose vertical member the beaterbar abuts. The pins L and L are readily removable, so that when it is desired to stop the movementof the boaters to cease the feed of splints thereby from the hopper it can easily be done by disconnecting the beater-bar from the bars K and K from which the heaters receive their motion, the movement ofsaid bars K and K being uninterrupted. The bars K and K reciprocate, respectively, in slots in the under side of the hopper-bottom B, each bar being supported on an angle-plate M, fastened to the bars K and K reci'procated. The cam Q is on a shaft R, journaled in hearings on the frame A, on which shaft is a gear-wheel S,

meshing with a pinion T on the main driving-shaft. 1

On theside of the hopper from which the splints emerge when pushed by the heaters the lower part of the hopper-wall in the form of a plate U is inclined downward and outward, its lower edge being just above the row of splints pushed out'by the heaters. The object of this inclined surface is to cause the camming or crowding down to proper horizontal position of any splints coming from the hopper with their advancing ends too high, by reason of any inclination of the splints, which splints, should a vertical wall be encountered, would be crushed or bent and cause clogging of the hopper. At the bottom of the opposite wall of the hopper there is provided an opening V to enable thecontents of the hopper at the bottom to be inspected and for the removal of any splints out of position and obstructing the proper feeding of the splints from the hopper. Opposite such openmg V is a bar W, having a surface next the opening inclined downward and toward the hopper to cause any splints tending to work out through said opening to pass back into the hopper as they descend.

To prevent possible injury to the fingers by pinching, 8nd, by the moving beater mechanism, a guard plate X, of sheet metal, is placed over said parts, being fastened to the hopper-bottom B, near each end thereof, by screws that pass through slots in vertical extensions a; and :1' at the respective ends of said guard-plate.

For supporting the carrier-plates F and F against thrust when a row of splints is pushed into a row of holes of the samea backingplate Y is provided on the side of the carrier opposite the sidefrom which the splints are inserted. Said piateY is fastened near each end by screws to two brackets Z and Z, bolted to a cross-bar A, fastened to the two sides of the frame A. The plate Y has a vertical extension ;1 at its central portion, reaching above the plane of the reciprocation of the heaters, the-purpose of which is to provide a sulficient support for the carrier plate F when the last row of holes f and f therein is in position to receive splints, said. last row being so close to the lower edge of the plate as to leave an insufficient portion thereof below the same to bear against the backing-plate below the plane of reciprocation of the beaters. That portion of the backing-plate Y on each side of the extension y is below the plane of the heaters and the plane of the row of carrier-plate holes f and f, so that any fragments of splints that may be present in said holes f and f at the time of insertion of the row of splints will be free to be pushed out by the latter instead of themselves or the splints being crushed. For a similar purpose the extension 1 is provided with a row of holes or perforations y and 7 that aline with the heaters and the row of splint-receiving holes f and f, any pieces or ends of splints in those of the latter alining with the backing-plate holes being pushed from said carrier-plate holes f and f. As the. endsv of the splints when inserted in the holes f and f may protrude slightly onthe rear side of the carrier-plate, the extension 1 has a vertical slot y on its side next the carrier, leading from each hole y to the upper edge of the extension, through which the protruding end of a splint may.freely pass as the carrierplate moves along. For bracing the bracingplate horlzontally there 1s secured to a horizontal-flange on the top of each bracket Z and Z a block B that bears against a shaft 0 journaled in hearings on the frame A- and forming part of the carrier-driving mcchan-' ism, tobe described hereinafter.

As in the machine of the patent hereinbefore referred to, the splints when moved into the carrier-plate perforations by the heaters are guided by a guide-platc I)", that has ali'n-, ing with each plate perforation j the lower end of a vertical slot /1 for each splint, the lip-- per end of the slot being open for the upward passage of the splint when the carrier is moved along. Said guide-plate l) is attached at its opposite ends to two brackets E and E that are respectively secured to the two sides of. the frame A. To said brackets are also fastened the lower ends of vertical side guides F and F for the carrier-chain, said guides being braced near their upper ends by a brace ii for each that extends on an incline from the adjacent side of the frame A to the guide.

Intermediate the guide-plate l) and the hopper is a plate Hf, having splint-guiding grooves g and in its upper side and pivoted by pintlcs and y at op osite ends at its side next the guidi-i-plate l)" in hearings on the sides of the frame A. One of the pintles is prolonged, and on it is secured a disk having a crank-pin g", to which is pivoted one end of a rod 1, dear whose other end is a roller vi, that engages a cam K. on the shaft lt,'by means of which therod is reciprocated and the crank-disk oscillated to cause the plate H to be lowereda'iid raised. The parts are so timed that the lowering movement of the plate H begins as soon as the heaters have reached the limit of their motion in thrusting splints into the carrier-plate, and the object of such lowering of the plate is to cause the removal therefrom of short or'broken splints or other debris that may be thereon, which matter when the plate is tilted slides off therefrom. The rod 1 is constructed to yield longitudinally in the event of the return or rising movement of the plate being opposed by clogging, and thus straining of the heaters and the plate or the latter being thrown out of time avoided. As preferably constructed for this purpose, the rod is composed-of two parts or sections, between the ends of which a coiled spring, L is interposed, and encircling'the rod-sections and spring is a tube M fastened immovably to one section and slidingly to the other by a-pin Z, passing through the latter and a slot m in the tube into which the pit extends.

' required to be projected well beyond the carrier-plate, and for so projecting the same the splints after being placed in the carrier by the heaters are afterward pushed farther through the holes f and f to the desired, position. -For such pushing or setting of the splints a setterbar N is employed mounted on the upper ends of a pair of levers O and 0 that are pivoted at their lower ends, respectively, to brackets P and Pop the sides of the frame A. Each of the levers O and O at its upper end is connected by a link Q to a horizontal rod R supported and guided by a bracket S near one end on a side of the frame A, and by a transverse plate T, secured toand reaching across from one frame side to the other. A pivot stud or pin 1' on the rod R is the connecting means between the latter and a link Q and said stud or pin serves also to connect to the rod R an eccentric U by means of an eccentric-rod 11.

Through the described connections the eccentrics will vibrate the levers O and O and move the setter-bar N to and from the carrier, said bar when moved toward the carrier striking and pushing a row of splints farther therethrough. The eccentrics U and U are mounted on a shaft V journaled in'bearings on the sides of the frame A and having a sprocket-wheel W that is connected by a driving-chain X to a driving sprocket-wheel Y on the shaft R'. For supporting the carrier under the thrust of the setter-bar I attach a horizontal cross-bar Z to the carrierguides F and F at a point just below the place where the splints are moved by the setter-bar, and at its transverse center fasten a plate A, havinga rib a, that engages the side of the carrier opposite the setter-bar, said rib The spring keeps the rod-' sections normally held apart; but if the rising being thin enough 'to lie between two adja cent rows of splints and being extended up-' ward sufficiently to have a portion to engage the carrier-plate in line with the thrust of the setter-bar. v

From the guides F and F the'carrier-plates, with the splints ready for dipping at both ends, pass over a quadrantshaped guide B and thence to and partially over a large wheel or druin G said guide and wheel being supported on a framing D of well-known construction composed of vertical-and horizontal tubular bars or piping. Beneath the wheel or drum (J is apan E for the liquid material into which the handle portions of the splints are to be dipped, and at each side of the pan is a rail or track F to which the splint-carrier passes from the drum or wheel. The rails or tracks incline downward from the top of the pan and then run horizontally at the level at which is bad the desired submergence of the splints, and then ineline'upward gradually to the top-0f the pan at the side from which the splints leave the pan, the last-described inclination being such relative to the liquid that the dipped splints leave the latter and have sufiicient time before passing from over the pan to enable any excess of liquid on the splints to drain or run off into the same. To provide for the contingency, however, of some liquid failing to pass from the splints before the latter travel from over the pan, an inclined plate Gr is provided, against the upper side of which any drops of liquid pendent on the splints willtouch and be taken off or upon which liquid will drip and running down the plate fall into the pan. The liquid may be supplied to the pan in any desired way, but I preferably provide a tank H from which the liquid is taken by a pump I preferably a rotary pump, and delivered by the latter through a pipe K to the pan. An overflow-pipe Y L for fixing the level of the liquid in the pan runs to the tank G, as does also a draw-off pipe M. For driving the pump a sprocket-wheel N on the driving-shaft thereof is connected by a sprocket-chain O to a sprocket-wheel P on a shaft Q mounted in hearings on the framing D. The sprocket wheel P is secured to the shaft by a set-screw m in a hub on the wheel to enable the wheel to be freed fromthe shaft at will, so that when it is desired to run the machine without operating the pump it can be accomplished. Other provision for .this purpose, such as a clutch. can be provided, if preferred. Power to drive the shaft Q is obtained by connecting a sprocket-wheel R thereon by sprocket-gearing to the shaft. The pan, drip-plate, pump, and shaft Q are attached by suitable brackets to the framing D To prevent the sag or weight of the portion of the carrier-chain passing from the guide B to the drum C from drawing or pulling out of the pan the portion necessary to travel along the rails of guides of the pan for dipping the handles, the chain is positively driven over said wheel or drum by means of a suitablydriven pinion S that meshes with the rackteeth on the carrier-plates. By positively d riving the chain at this place the proper condition of the carrier for passage along the dipping-pan tracks is preserved. From the dipping-pan E the carrierpasses over a wheel or drum T for inverting the carrier to place the ends of the splints to be pa: affined and supplied with igniting composition downward, so that they may be in proper position for these customary treatments. As the special con.- struction of these treating mechanisms forms no part of the present invention, they need not be described. After the splints receive the igniting composition they are retained in the carrier, as usual, long enough to allow the compostion to cool and harden, and the carrier then takes them to mechanism on the frame A, by which the completed matches are removed from the carrier. Said removing mechanism comprises means for first moving the matches partially through the carrier-holes,

so that their ends arc substantially flush with the inner side of the carrier-plate, and means for punching the matches from the holes. The first-mentioned means preferably consists of a plate U attached at its ends to the under side of the respective guide rods or bars R and R, the front edge u of which is adapted to engage a transverse row of matches and moves them to the required position. On the upper side of the plate U is a part which, as shown, is in the form of a bar a, screwed to the plate, the front side or surface of which is in such position that any match-sticks that may project too far rearward will be engaged and moved to proper position for the action of the edge a of the plate U Match-sticks may-be projected too far rearward by reason of their fitting the carrier-plate holes so loosely thatthey'may be jarred or shaken from proper position, and because of the possibility of this occurring it is advisable to provide means for moving the deranged matches to position for the action 'of the plate U completing the removal of the matches comprises the well-known device of a series of pins or punches V 'and V one for each hole of a transverse row of holes,'and mounted on a head \Vf reciprocable in horizontal guides on the plate T The pins or punches are secured to the head by an angle-bar X, the vertical member of the bar. extending down over the forward sideof the head andhaving a row of horizontal holes to receive the punches, whose 'hcaill e'dends bear against the forward side of the head W, and the horizontal member-of said Man overlapping and being screwed tothe up- 1 title of the head W,

I By the construction deseri bed it is a very easy mattcrtoremove and replace punches, as tl'lere isanuiilc room for the detachmentof' the angle-bar with the punches,

The means for affords an extended support for the pins or punches it is possible to do away with the punch-guiding plate heretofore necessary to be used. The omission of said plate not only results in the simplifying of the structure, but

the punches can work better, because as there are but two instead of three points of contact and support forthe punches there is lesslikelihood of binding. For reciprocating the punch-carrying head there are connected to itby two links Y and Y two crank-arms Z and Z on a rock-shaft At, mounted in hearings on the frame A. Said shaft is oscillated by a.

crank-arm B, to which motion is imparted through a link O by a cam D on the shaft R, the link being pivoted at one end to the arm B and at its other end forked to straddle the shaft and having a roller to engage the cam. The forked end of the link is confined laterally between the cam and a collar Eton the shaftR. After thematches have been punched out of the'carrier the latter returns again to the splint-hopper for receiving more splints. The machine shown is of the type in which an intermittent movement is imparted to the portions of the carrier adjacent the splint-inserting and match-ejecting mechanisms, and

a continuous movement is given the remain- For imparting the intermittent or stepder. by-step motion to the carrierI place a wormform cam F on the shaft R, that engages a series of pins Gr and G on a disk H on the' lower end of a shaft I, mounted on an incline in bearings on a bracket (0, bolted. to one of the sides of the frame A, which cam imparts an intermittent revolution to the shaft 1". On the upper end of the latter is a bevel-pinion K, meshing with a bevel-gear L on a horizontal shaft M, having bearings on the frame A, and on which are placed two gears M and M, that mesh with the usual racks f and f. on the carrier-plates. On the side of the frame A opposite the cam and pin-gearing the shaft 1 has a gear-wheel N*, which transmits mo-,

frame A and carrying two gears T* and T,

that also mesh with the carrier-racksf an? f. A bar U extends between the shafts i 4 and C and on it are mounted stud-shafts that journal the intermediate gears P, Q, and R. To support it against any strains from the train of gears connecting said two shafts, the bar is bolted to the adjacent side of the frame A. The pinion K and the gear-Wheels N 4 and R are connected to their respective shafts by the familiar expedient of a disk V on each shaft, having segmental slots and clampingbolts \V passing through the slots into the respective gear-wheel. By freeing the shafts and gear-wheels the shafts can revolve independently of the wheels, and thus the position of the carrier-plate holes and f relativeto 1 the splint-inserting and match-ejectingmechand as the vertical member of Jze angle-bar anisins be accurately adjusted, the slack of the carrier enabling such adjustment to be efv of a row of splints, the end fingers ad acent fected.

In view of the fact that the splints are moved endwise through the carrier-plate holes f and f I counterbore the holes on the rear sides of the carrier, for the reason that by absorption of moisture the splints swell, and without the counterbore the splints would be cut or torn when moved through the holes. The holes are therefore counterbored at both ends. I prefer to make thesurfaces of the counterbores convexly curved or rounded, not flat, as the rounded surfaces simply squeeze or compress the splints and do not tear or splinter them.

' When it is desired to use the machine constructed as herein shown and described for the manufacturepf matches not to be treated with a handle-forming solution, it is necessary.

merely to stop the pump I by freeing the sprocket-wheel 0 from the shaft Qand d rawing off the liquid from the pan. The same object can also be attained by stopping the action of the setter-bar N and ad justingthe carrier supports farther from the paraflining and composition -applying mechanisms. Moreover, should it be desired, the machine could be built omitting those parts necessary for making the handles, and it is therefore to be understood that I do not limit the scope of the invention to machines for the manufacture of handle-matches.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with parallel slots therethrough, a vibratory series of fingers extending through and above said slots to afford spades thcrebetween for the reception of arow of splints, and means for vibrating said lingers,substantially as described.

2. In a matclrmachine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom With parallel slots thcreth rough, a verticallymovable frame below said bottom provided with a series of fingers corresponding'to and extending through and above said slots to afford between said slots a series of spaces for the reception of a row of splints, and means for actuating said frame, substantially as described.

3. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with parallel slots therethrough, a verticallymovable open or chambered frame below said bottom provided with fingers corresponding to and extending through and above said slots to afford between said slots a series of spaces for the reception of a row of splints, substantially as described.

I. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with parallel slots therethrough, a series of lingers corresponding with and extending through andabove said slots to aiford between said slots a series of spaces for the reception the sides of the receptacle being inclined as described, and means for vertically vibrating said fingers, substantially as described.

5. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having abottom with openings or slots, a vertically-movable chambered frame having inclined surfaces leading to the chamber or open-space in the frame, said frame having fingers in the slots, substantially as described.

6. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with openings or slots, and splint-supporting surfaces intermediate the slots, a splint-removing device for moving the splints from said surfaces, and splint-agitating devices that pass through the slots, substantially as described.

7. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with openings or slots, splint-agitating fingers that pass through and above said slots and afford therebetween spaces for the reception of a row of splints, and a splint-removingdevice for moving the splints from said spaces, substantially as described.

8. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with openings or slots, a vertically-movable frame located below said bottom and provided with spli nt-agitating fingers that pass through and above the slots and afford therebetween spaces for the reception of a row of splints, and splint-removing devices for moving the splints from said spaces, substantially as described.

9. in a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder orreceptaclc having a bottom with openings or slots, vertically-movablesplint-agitating devices that pass through and above the slots and afford therebetween spaces for a row of splints, splint-removing devices for moving the splints from said spaces, and means for'imparting horizontal movement to the splints above the said devices,'substan tially as described.

10. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint holder or receptacle having a bottom with openings or slots, vertically -'movable splint-engaging devices that pass through and above the slots and afford therebetween spaces for a row of splints, a splint-removing device for moving the splints from said grooves, and a horizontallymovable holder-section next the bottom of the holder, substantially as dc scribed.

1 1. In a match-machine, a splint holder or receptacle having a horizontally -\'ibrat*1)ry part for agitating the splints and causing them to settle downward, and a vertically-movable member for agitating the splints at the lower portion of said vibratory part and disposing them in parallelism with eachothe-r, said member having adjacent an end wall of said vibrations which incline inwardly and" upwardly from said walls.

' the bottom of said receptacle to afford paralparallelspaces for the reception of a row offrame, and means for removing the splints adjacent thereto having a bottom with paraldescribed.

tory part, a splint-engaging portion which inclines inwardly and upwardly from said wall. 12. In a n1atch-machine,a splint holder or receptacle having a horizontally-vibratory partfor agitating the splints and causing them to settle downward, and a vertically-movable member for agitating the splints at the lower portion of said vibratory part and disposing them in pa *allelism with each other, said member having adjacent the respective end walls of said vibratory part splint-engaging per- 13. In a match-machine, the combination with a carrier, of a splint holder or receptacle adjacent thereto, means for. horizontally agitating the splints above the bottom of the receptacle, a series of fingers projecting above lel spaces for the reception of a row ofsplints, means for vertically vibrating saidfingers, and means for removing the splints endwise from said spaces to the carrier, substantially as described. v

M. In a match-machine, the-combination with a carrier, of a splint holder or receptacle adjacent thereto having a bottom with parallel slots, a frame beneath said bottom provided with a series of lingers which project through and above said slots, and afford splints,.means for vertically vibrating said endwise from said-spaces to the carrier, substantially as described.

15. in a match-machine, the combination with a carrier, of a splint holder 01' receptacle lel slots, a vertically-partitioned frame located above said bottom, means for horizontally reciprocating said frame, a series of lingers projecting above the bottom of said re'ceptacle to afford parallel spaces for the reception of a row of splints, means for vertically vibrating said fingers, and means for removing the splints end wise from said spaces to the carrier, substantially as described.

16. In a match-machine, the combination with a carrier, of asplint holder or receptacle adjacent thereto having a bottom with parallel slots, a vertically-partitioned frame above said bottom, means for horizontally reciprocating said frame, afra-me beneath said bottom provided with a series of lingers which project through and above the said slots and afford parallel spaces for the reception of splints, means for vertically vibrating said frame, andmeans for removing the splints from said spaces to the carrier, substantially 17. In a match-machine, the combination with a carrier, of a splintholder or receptacle adjacent thereto, means for horizontally agitating the splints above the bottom of the receptacle, a series of fingers pro ecting above i splint-support between the receptacle and the' carrier adapted by its movement to discharge broken splints, &c., substantially as described.

18. In amatclvmachine, the combination of a splint-receptacle, a traveling carrier adjacent thereto, means for removing splints row by row from said receptacle and inserting them in said carrier, a movable splint-support between the receptacle and the carrier, said support having on its upper surface guides for the passage of the splints, and means for actuating said support to lower the portion thereof adjacent the receptacle and thereby discharge from the support thebroken spl ints, &c., substantially as described.

19. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-receptacle, a traveling carrier adjacent thereto, means for removing splints row by row from said receptacle and inserting them in said carrier, a pivot-ally moimted splint-supporting plate between the receptacle and the carrier, said plate having on its upper surface guides for the passage of the splints and the axis of said plate being adjacent the carrier and automatic means whereby said plate is oscillated, to discharge therefrom broken splints,&c.; substantially as described.

20. In a match-machine, the combination ofa splint-receptacle, a traveling carrier adjacent thereto, horizontal reciprocating mechanism to remove splints row by row from the receptacle to the carrier, a pivotally-moUhted splint-supporting plate between said receptacle and carrier, said plate. having on its upper surface guides for the passage of the splints &c., and the axis of said plate being adjacent the carrier and automatic means to swing said plate from a horizontal to an in-- clined plane when each rowof splints has been inserted in the .carrier by said reciprocating mechanism, substantially as described.

21. In a match-machine, the combination with a carrier, of a splint holder or receptacle adjacent thereto,.means for horizontally agitating the splints above the bottom of the receptacle, a series of lingers pro ecting above the bottom of said receptacle to afford parallel spaces for the reception of a row of splints, means for vertically vibrating said fingers, means for remdving the splints end'wise from said spaces to the carrier, and a swinging plate between the receptacle and the carrier adapted by its movement to discharge broken splints, &c., substantially as described.

22. In a match-machine, the combination with a carrier and a splint holder or receptacle ad acent thereto, means for hor zontally agitating the splints above the bottom of'the recepl'acle, a series of lingers projecting above thebottom of said receptacle to afford parallel spaces for the reception of a row of splints, means for vertically vibrating said fingers, means for removing the splintsendwise from said spaces to the carrier, a movable. splint-supporting plate intermediate the receptacle and the carrier, means for operating said plate, and a yielding connection between the plate and its operating means, sub stantially as described.

23. In a match-machine, the combination of a source of supply of splints, a carrier, means to move splints from the source of supply to the carrier, a movable plate between the source of supply and the carrier, means for operating said plate, and a yielding connection between the plate and its operating means, substantially as described.

24. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, means for inserting splints in the carrier from the outer side thereof, a reciprocating setter-head acting upon the free ends of the splints successively to cause the respective ends of the splints to project beyond both sides of the carrier, plural substance-applying means located at different points along the path of travel of the carrier so as to act upon the projecting portions of the splints on both sides of the carrier, a supplemental reciprocating head for acting upon the splints and returning them to their original position in the carrier, means for reciprocating one of sand heads, and a connection between the two heads whereby they are simul taneously actuated, substantially as described.

25. In a match-machine, the combination of a travelingsplint-carrier, means for inserting splints endwise into the carrier from the outer side of the latter, a push device for acting upon the free ends of the rows of splints successively to cause the respective ends of the splints to project beyond both sides of the carrier, plural substance-applying means located at different points along the path of travel of the carrier so as to act upon the projecting portions of the splints on both sides of the carrier, a supplemental reciprocating head for acting upon the splints and returning them to their original position in the carrier, mechanism for actuating said heads concertedly, a match-discharge head located below the said supplemental head, and means for reciprocating said discharge-head substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of August, 1901.

JACOB P. WRIGHT.-

VVitnesses:

B. C. Ross, 0. A. TICKNER. 

